Amid all the excitement generated by Saturday’s sold-out Sydney derby, the elephant in the room is the ugly racial vilification incident which marred the last time Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers clashed at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney’s Ali Abbas accused Wanderers opponent Brendon Santalab of racial abuse on March 8 last season, and although the case was ultimately dismissed by a disciplinary committee, there was a lingering bitter taste left by the unsavoury allegations.
There’s no denying the A-League blockbuster between Sydney’s east and west has quickly become one of the city’s headline sporting contests, with the latest installment shaping as the biggest yet with the Wanderers on the verge of a historic appearance in the Asian Champions League final.
However, the A-League should be concerned about the spirit in which the game is played.
The bigger occasion, the bigger the fallout if ill-feeling spills over, as evidenced in March.
Asked if he was concerned about Saturday’s blockbuster being overshadowed by a repeat of last season’s troubling allegations, Wanderers coach Tony Popovic was very quick to dismiss.
“No,” was all he would say.
Asked if he would have any specific instructions for his players on how to manage inflamed passions on the field, Popovic was equally curt.
“No.”
The coach might be playing it down, but all eyes will be on Abbas and Santalab should they both take the field on Saturday.
Santalab started in the Wanderers’ shock 4-1 hammering at the hands of Melbourne Victory last week, while Abbas is backing up from international duty for Iraq during the week.
It was reported at the time that Abbas was understood to be “extremely upset” by the disciplinary hearing finding his allegations as inconclusive due to crowd noise at the game.
The Wanderers were a little more forthcoming on the other elephant in the room, which is whether they’re already thinking about their Asian Champions League Final against Al-Hilal on October 25.
Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold kick-started the mind games by suggesting it would be almost impossible for the Wanderers to not have one eye on their looming challenge.
Popovic conceded the final was on their minds, but denied it would cause any distraction.
If the Wanderers were to go down on Saturday they would go into the first leg of the ACL final off the back of two losses, but Popovic said his team’s motivations were purely on beating Sydney FC in a derby which has become one of the biggest matches of the season.
“Our focus is really on the derby but we are in a final so you can’t dismiss it totally,” Popovic said.
“We learnt some harsh lessons last week and we’ll definitely be a better team tomorrow.
“They’re special games. Derbies are different. Not just the atmosphere but the intensity of the game is different and everyone should look forward to it. Both sets of fans and players alike.”
“I’m surprised how quick it’s got (so big).
“The crowds keep growing and long may they continue.”
DERBY HISTORY
Wanderers 3, Sydney FC 1, drawn 1
Last start: Sydney FC won 3-1, 2014
AZ_RBB
Guest
Not long left now......
The Minister
Guest
Bring it on! This will be the biggest derby we've seen so far.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Excellent article on the cultue wars behind the Sydney Derby .. "it is a rivalry which extends over a hundred years, not just three." Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC: The Fibros v Silvertails mark II http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/western-sydney-wanderers/western-sydney-wanderers-v-sydney-fc-the-fibros-v-silvertails-mark-ii-20141017-117pm3.html
ciudadmarron
Guest
Nice :lol: And I might add in keeping with the standard chardonnay set conjecture that spelling/grammar maketh the man.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
The first question from Wanderers supporters club membership: 1. Spell RBB :-)
AZ_RBB
Guest
The Cove will also be marching to the stadium. Just look out for a bunch of 12yr olds holding their mums hand. Best of luck to you too :)
Josh
Guest
Will all 11,000 of your members be there because all 18,000 of ours will - and then some.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. And good luck even though I'll be supporting the good guys
Leonardo
Roar Guru
I was just going to say that, beat me to it. 6 Sydney derbies - WSW 3, SFC 2, 1 draw. Will be tied up at 3 all after tonight. Can't the Roar find football experts to write football articles and not AFL journos to remind us about the potential for crowd trouble and racism.
AZ_RBB
Guest
The RBB (with special guests, NSW Police) will be marching from Belmore Park next to Central Station at 6pm tonight. We will go down Foveuax St and through Surry Hills before arriving at Moore Park. Just look for the red smoke :D
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Cheers AZ. My daughter was asking if there was going to be a fan march. If so, what time and exactly where?
AZ_RBB
Guest
There is something oddly paralysing about Derby day. I am utterly useless as my mind can only channel one thought and that is standing in the away terrace and looking across to the sky blue wall 100 metres from us. On the field, these derbies are a mixed bag and often a little scrappy. The visceral roar of a Derby crowd is one of the great sounds in world sport and I can't wait to be a part of it tonight.
Mahler
Guest
This article hangs very tenuously on an outdated thread. Why breing it all up again? It was dealt with at the time. For gawd sakes, move on.
Alex
Guest
Just going to point out the Derby History stats are wrong. Sydney won the first ever derby between the two teams 1-0 with an ADP penalty. Thus, Sydney have actually won 2 games.
Punter
Guest
I cannot wait for tonight, looking forward to showing our 'little brother' how to do it right. We are Sydney, the famous Sydney FC. Come on you boys in blue.